Smithtown officials gathered with members of the Jewish community to celebrate the third night of Chanukah with Rabbi Mendel Teldon of Chabad of Mid-Suffolk.
The Hebrew word Chanukah means ‘dedication’ as the eight-day holiday commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
In the classification of Jewish holidays, Chanukah is sometimes viewed as having lesser importance. To some extent, this is true, as it is not a biblically given holiday – it is one that comes from the history of the Jewish people.
But, as a result of its novelty, “It has unique special messaging,” said Teldon. “It’s something closer in history.”
The meaning of Chanukah lies in the three miracles celebrated. The first of the miracles is the military victory which permitted the Jewish people to celebrate their religion. The second was finding the only bottle of pure oil to be able to prepare their practices. The third miracle is that the oil then lasted for seven days longer than it should have been able.
“When we commit to our ideals and our values … G-d responds accordingly,” said Teldon. “When we break out of our comfort zone and go for a higher cause – G-d takes nature and breaks us out of it.”
There are other messages to Chanukah. Teldon explained how what was good enough yesterday is not enough today. So, during Chanukah, what was beautiful today becomes standard tomorrow, and with that, another candle is lit. With each candle lit, the darkness gets pushed back a little further.
“And together with that, we don’t fight darkness. Evil doesn’t really exist. Evil is just there to give us an opportunity to do right.”
Teldon said this message was on full display at Smithtown’s lighting, held outdoors in the darkness; one can see the great impact of each light.
The last message Teldon had to share was one of unity. This year on the Jewish calendar is called “Hakhel,” which means unity.
“It’s a throwback to biblical and temple times,” Teldon stated.
Once every seven years, Jews would gather en masse. Today, it is celebrated in locales.
The other message of unity is in the menorah’s constriction. There is one light in the center, followed by three lights on either side. “At our core, we are all one,” said Teldon. “Some of us lean to the right or left, or the far-right or far-left, but we have to recognize at our source, we are all one.”
Teldon expressed that it is important that each of us recognize the light in each other.
